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Comments
Welcome back. Yes, the engine turns over a lot quicker now. I guess the combination of my long commutes and mild weather out here contributes to longer battery life.
Ken
I merely suggested he remove and reinstall the entire intake once again, and when he did he found a loose vaccum tube that didn't appear to be loose when he'd checked it.
But we had live suggestions from Darlene, Colin, myself, and several others.
-juice
Meanwhile, I think you'll be satisfied with what Van Bortle has done.
Thanks!
Patti
For info - the CE light was steady the whole way for the whole trip from Long Island to Rochester, but then it began to alternate between steady and flash on the short trip from my house to Van Bortel, after sitting for a day and a half.
I really have no reason to think any wrong doing on Van Bortel's part. I've had several face to face experiences with the owner, and have only had good experiences there. My concern was just that I did not understand what I did to have this happen, and therefore I do not understand what I can do to ensure it does not happen again.
Patti - I think my request to you and Van Bortel's decision 'crossed in the mail'. I called them this morning and they told me what they were going to do for me. Yes I am pleased, thank you. I am curious to hear from you, what they did have to say.
Thanks so much for looking into this for me.
-Howard
It was definitely a factor in our decision to buy another Sube recently. Knowing that, if necessary, there was someone at SOA who would take a personal interest if I had a problem is quite reassuring. Certainly Patti should not be the first recourse - I believe in giving the dealership the opportunity to rectify a problem. But, sometimes dealerships can be difficult to deal with...
I don't post very often but in looking at the posts over the last week or so and seeing just how much Patti "has been on the case", IS reassuring.
Yup, the whole Crew is pretty much right on... Patti Rocks!!
Ron
Has anyone heard of this before?
Russ
-Frank P.
Ken
Don
Russ
Patti - thanks again, your effort is much appreciated.
-Howard
Why did the injectors fail? Did they cover it with warranty? Did they cut you a cost break?
Howard.....Howard......Howard
Thank you again.
Patti
Patti
-juice
more power!
Cheers!
Paul
Ok So I get a call from the dealer telling me the code is a misfire in cylinder 1. The service invoice says the plug wire was replaced because it ohmed out bad, but it did not fix the problem. I did not go any further down that path (I assume they know how to reset the ECU, etc).
So they asked my permission to replace the injector, but recommended all four be replaced at the same time. That sounded reasonable to me - so I OKed the $550 repair for all four.
Then, later that day, before I got back Patti's reply to my post, I was told by the dealer that they would split the repair 50/50. I thought that was nice, but I was still distrought over how this could have happened so soon!
Then I spoke to the dealer again (to let them know when I would pick up the car) and they told me "someone from Subaru by the name of Patti called here and arranged to have Subaru pick up the whole repair" They seemed surprised that someone from Subaru contacted them so quickly, as I was.
When the CE light came on my mileage was 38,000 so technically it was out of warranty, so I consider it a 'courtesy extension', well above the 'call of duty'.
I asked the dealer to be sure the fuel filter was ok, and to sample the fuel in the tank to determine its quality, and I am told it was ok. The technician seemed to feel that it was not a fuel quality issue. Their feeling was confirmed after I told them that I fill up between half a dozen stations, not only one and not only one brand.
Then I asked the advisor about dry gas - that is whether or not it is recommended to remove condensation that could cause corrosion. She told me that Subaru neither recommends nor warns against those products. I have not yet read the owner's manuel, though.
Anyone out there use or recommend fuel additives?
So I got the car back last night and have been driving it today. The repair thus far seems seamless.
That is how it transpired!!
Sorry for the long post!
-Howard
quote: my mileage was 38,000 so technically it was out of warranty
I still don't get this part. powertrain warranty is 5 years or 60,000 miles here in the US... and injectors better be part of the powertrain.
-Colin
Tune in next week, same Bat-time, same Bat-channel.
-juice
-Frank P.
As for Patti...well I guess we all put her on a pedestal. Just another success story for her and I hope she knows how much we all appreciate this kind of professionalism.
I add my KUDOS to those already heaped on Patti. Subaru has a valuable resource in her!
As everyone probably knows OBDII supports software mods/reloads rather than the chip replacements that occurred with the previous generation of OBD.
vince
No amount of money could buy the sort of advertising that she does for them by her proactive approach.
Long may she continue to be an active participant on these boards, It is rare to see a car manufacturers representative be such an advocate for the consumer.
Cheers Pat.
I wonder if all of our praise is getting back to SOA and reflected in her evaluation. Does anyone know?
Ken
Ross
In August I'll be celebrating my 20th year with Subaru. They take good care of me. Otherwise, I wouldn't hang around. It's hard for me to share your positive comments with my boss, but he does recognize the importance of this group. He also knows how I feel about you all.
Thank you for making my day so much better.
Patti
Thanks for all the great advice. I have an appointment at the dealer on the 26th. I will post re: results/experience after I get my Forester back.
I am not looking forward to driving a loaner.
If anyone is interested my Forester is 18 months old and has 13,800 miles.
Russ
Re: the computer upgrade, I am amazed this cannot be done at the dealer. I think about the 5-6 times I have downloaded firmware updaters off the internet for things like PDAs, digital cameras, and computers, and find it hard to believe Subaru dealers can't do the same sort of thing. But maybe Subaru hardwired their algorithms into ROMs, in which case it might require a physical swap of parts. Still, you'd think they could setup an exchange program. Back when my 2000 Outback was recalled for a computer upgrade, they just swapped my computer with a revised one, in about 20 minutes.
Craig
-mike
-juice
I believe the OBDII architecture needed to follow guidelines setup by the fed gov't. If I remember correctly, the architecture specified that OBDII computers be controlled by upgradeable software so that if/when upgrades become necessary no hw components would need to be replaced including memory rom and any other firmware related devices.
During past problem resolution with my 2000 OB the shop foreman at the local Subaru dealer explained to me that the computers needed to be shipped back to SoA because the dealers did not have the capability to load sw onto the ecms.
The limitation is probably be in the handheld diagnostic computers the dealers buy from Subaru. Perhaps they need to be redesigned. These handheld devices interface with the ecm via standard rs232 connectors. I would imagine that any laptop with an rs232 connector and the right propietary sw should be able to load sw onto the ecm without removing it from the car.
Just my thoughts.
Vince
-mike
Now I'm wondering if I could talk to the ECM with a laptop . . .
Craig
if subaru doesn't want hobbyists or the aftermarket dinking with its ECU programming, keeping the tool in Cherry Hill is one way to achieve that.
strangely, in the UK all dealers have this capability. although it is telling-- some aftermarket tuners have it too.
-Colin
-Dennis
GM dealers can reload sw. There's probably some type of security that prevents "most" people from loading patches or new programs that could impact (maybe improve) performance but alter emission levels. Auto magazines used to offer replacement chips in the back page ads but I don't recall ever seeing anyone offering sw upgrades for OBDII.
I do believe in the future Fuji will be offering a similar capability to Subaru dealers that GM, and perhaps other dealers, already have.
Craig,
Browse around the web. There are vendors that sell rs232 connectors for laptops and the diagnostic sw that gets loaded on the laptop for about $150. You need to find sw that works with the specific auto manaufacturer. Some vendors are now offering connectors and sw for Palms. Try searching on "OBDII tools" from Google or Lycos.
Vince
Thanks.
-juice
Subaru usually recommends 5W30 for it's recent models because it works for wide range of temperatures and it provide marginally better gas milage than 10W30.
Ken
-Colin
They usually recommend the oil with the best flow at start-up and the best mpg. Depending on your driving habits or where you live, the dealer may recommend 10W30.
Aren't manuals available on-line at mysubaru.com?
-Dennis
-Dave
Most of these are simple alcohols that 'lockup' and disperse small amounts of water so that they are less likely to freeze in a line, or reach the engine as a concentrate.
The cheapest is methanol (CH3OH) (methyl alcohol) - wood based, maybe selling for as little as $0.35 cents per 12oz container. This was fine for mechanical fuel pumps and carbs of older American iron. Do not use it in a fuel injected car as methanol quickly damages rubber seals.
Gasohol is a mix of gas and ethanol (C2H5OH)(ethyl alcohol) using fermented feed grains like corn. Most seal materials can stand up to 10% ethanol by volume before getting into trouble.
Premium dry gas is an isomer (C3H7OH)(which carbon the OH group hangs off of) of propanol (propyl, or in this case, isopropyl alcohol). This is the $0.89 - $1.29 stuff. Last time this was in the news, most auto mfgrs weighed in with it being OK, but no more than one 12 bottle per tankful or so.
I use it occasionally, so hope this is still the correct info.
Steve
I think you've got it right, isopropyl alcohol is sold under the brand name HEET (perhaps pure, perhaps a few additives). It does work very well.
-Colin
Recently, I've been noticing an occasional squeaking/screeching from under the hood, especially after short trips of 10-15mins. Today, I opened the hood and located the source of the noise as coming from the water pump/front pulley assembly. After longer trips, it is not that noticeable, but still there.
I'm going to make an svc. apptmnt next week, but was wondering if anyone has any idea if this is serious. Could the bearings/pump be failing?
Thanks, and it's good see all of the regulars are still here.
-Tony
Cheers!
Paul
Anyone know the SOA technical release numbers that update dealers on proper repair technique? Before I take for repair I like to have all the information that is available since I guess I am somewhat paranoid about dealer technicians.
Regards
Jim
This is actually the second Legacy I've had with this issue. (I had a third without the problem) The first was a '90 with 114K MI (I drove it this way until 180K before I sold it). The current one is a '93 Legacy with 82K. I bought it with 53K and experienced this from very the first winter I had it.
The tranny fluid is full and was changed at the 60K service. Thoughts?
Just wondering if anyone knows anything about Quality Subaru Parts & Acessories. I remember ordering parts from Darlene at some decent prices. Lately I have not been able to access their site. Do they still exist. Is Darlene taking orders and can she be reached by phone? Thanks for any help!!!!
/Scott